A Gawai celebration in Perth

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The next generation enjoying themselves. — Photos from organising committee of Perth Gawai.

The next generation enjoying themselves. — Photos from organising committee of Perth Gawai.

EVERY YEAR, the Dayak community in Perth look forward to celebrating their identity and passing on their legacy to the younger generation.

It is an occasion they treasure and where they come together to show commitment to their cultural heritage.

Every year in May, before the Sarawak Gawai on June 1, the community celebrate their Perth Gawai with friends from all walks of life and different cultures.

The Orang Ulu dance performed by Rina Davenport.

The Orang Ulu dance performed by Rina Davenport.

This year, the celebration – the 11th – was held at the Belmont Sports and Recreation Club. The programme included a welcoming speech from May Dan Lingoh in Iban and Lesley Wells in English.

A live band performance by Harvey and Karina of Klassworks Entertainment added much cheer to the occasion.

A mini cultural show, including a Kayan solo dance, performed by the community’s youngest dancer eight-year-old Joyce Julan Hill, drew thunderous aplause.  The Orang Ulu dance was performed by Rina Davenport who received appreciative comments and cheers.

Finally, the traditional Kajat Indu Iban, performed by Susan Carlisle, totally wowed the audience.

The Perth Gawai began in 2002 when May Dan and Anum Lingoh hosted their first celebration at their residence. As the number of guests increased, an organising committee was formed on May 5, 2004.

The first public Perth Gawai dinner was held at RSL Club, Riverton, on May 29, 2004. The same committee has been organising Gawai every year since then – mainly to get together to enjoy the festivities with family and friends.

Mena Westley, the veteran member of their community, has been appointed permanent Gawai advisor. She has been residing in Perth for 47 years.

Gawai has grown to become a symbol of unity, aspirations and hopes for the Dayak community as they strive for progress and prosperity along with their fellow Malaysians.

May Dan Lingoh said: “Throughout the festival, the Dayaks welcome relatives and friends to their homes to share in the joyous occasion. It is also to reciprocate the hospitality extended by the other races during their festivals.

“It is in this spirit we in Perth organise our Gawai – to come together to share our love, hope, joy and faith.”

KT Sawan chimed in: “This (Perth) Gawai was planned many years ago by the or-ganising committee with no intention other than to continue the tradition to get together. It is non-exclusive and involves Kelabits, Lun Bawangs, Muruds, and Ibans. Some members of this community are the oldest Dayaks in all of Western Australia.

“Many of them moved here in the 50’s to work as nurses, fruit pickers, clerks and teachers. A few even lived in rural Western Australia as well as different parts of the country. Some will tell you life was quite difficult in the past and this one Gawai occasion was organised for them to enjoy their retirement.

“The migrants share experiences of joy with their families during the festive season. I will always remember Mena Lumpoh saying if she ever won the $50 Million Powerball lottery, she would fly her entire longhouse over for Gawai.”

Sawan said the poco-poco was usually the highlight of the evening, adding that this was the dance that turned the young shy men into silly casanovas and the shy young girls into dancing queens.

Special Photo Booth for Gold Coin donations.

Special Photo Booth for Gold Coin donations.

“Lesley Wells and Susan are always the leaders. Everyone will join in — even the little children. They have their own version – a combination of some form of martial arts with plenty of twisting, jumping and shouting.

“I absolutely love doing the poco-poco after a bit of beverage. For some reason, it increases the tendency to be cheeky with others and is quite liberating for an introvert like myself.

“No Gawai celebration is complete without a rendition of Unchained Melody. When it starts, all the lovely senior couples will take to the dance floor.

“I danced with one of my aunties, and while dancing, I could not help but imagine this was a repeat of scene from the lives of those Dayak migrants in the 50’s.

“Beautiful old women in their kebayas, dancing with their caucasian husbands. Beautiful children of mixed parentage running around. It is very surreal, and I doubt this is something that can be experienced in Sarawak itself.

“Gawai always softens my heart and it happens at the perfect time of year – right in the middle when I get a little bit jaded by the months that have passed.

“In Perth, it happens in Autumn – when the weather is perfect. Not too cold with a dry crisp wind. It is the one night that makes me feel like a child again.

“If it were not for the annual Gawai night, I would be even more homesick than I usually am. I suspect it is the same for the others, and for this reason they appreciate it with all their hearts,” Sawan added.

Alen Julin noted: “Our Iban and other Dayak communities in Perth are growing over the years. We have about 100 Ibans and perhaps also 100 other Sarawakian ethnic groups. The majority have Australian PR status.

“Many have already included Australians in their extended families. Mena Lumpoh and Lesley Wells are the community’s pioneers in Perth and have lived here since the 1960’s. We have been upholding our culture over the years.

“I am glad the community in Perth can organise the Gawai event. We all feel at home especially when tuak is served and the ngajat performed.

“Besides the big gathering, some of our homes are open for Gawai gatherings over the month of June when people get together and introduce Gawai to their local friends. It is very interesting.”

According to Monica Ngumbang, whenever they meet during Gawai in Perth, they also talk about other Dayak events.

“For example, we also have a Dayak Community Retreat. We would go to a selected place like an orchard or a farm.

“About 40 of our members will attend and we would all enjoy ourselves. This kind of event brings our people closer together.

“Therefore the Gawai event will gel us and we move forward to other events in the year. Besides, we know who has left Perth and who has just arrived. And we, thus, establish shared joy and hope.”

At this year’s celebration, a special Photo Booth was set up for the attendees to have their photos taken with a Gold Coin donation to Gawai Fund. It was very well received.

The effervescent May Dan Lingoh assured: “The Gawai event in Perth will continue to be held because a very close knit group has been formed and the legacy is being passed on.

“Ties with Sarawak continue to be maintained through constant communication by more families moving here. Those of us who have been here longer will also extend a helping hand.”

The organising committee.

The organising committee.